1 304 MEETING OF THE GOORKHAS,.
2 several days, during which a mutiny broke out
3 in the Goorkha battalion, which, together with
4 the Najibs, were now encamped with the Sikh
5 Mahomedan contingent. They were very in-
6 solent to General Ventura, and left the camp,
7 taking with them the two guns belonging to
8 the Najibs.* |
9 * « We had not been established many days at Koulsir
10 when, we received intimation that the Goorkhas, who now
11 formed part of General Ventura’s camp, had mutinied. It
12 appeared that the general had been compelled to place
13 their adjutant in confinement for misconduct ; and as he
14 was a favourite with the regiment, his imprisonment was
15 regarded by the soldiers in anything but a favourable light.
16 In the course of the day they unanimously resolved to
17 release him by force; and to effect their purpose proceeded
18 in a large body to the quarter-guard of the Najeeb bat-
19 talion, where the prisoner was lodged, and demanded his
20 enlargement. This was refused; and Ventura, happening
21 to come to the spot at the time, determined to repel force
22 by force, and ordered his Goorcherras and guards to load.
23 The Goorkhas, perceiving him to be resolute in his inten-
24 tions, abandoned their design, and returned to their tents,
25 which they soon after struck, and, with colours flying and
26 band playing, marched out of camp, taking along with
27 them two guns that were attached to the Najeeb regiment.
28 No attempt was made to molest them in this, nor were
29 they prevented from moving to Peshawr, where they took
30 up 2 position not far from the walls of the fort, and where